SeaBeLife Reports Promising In Vivo Results for Ophthalmic Gel Candidate for GA

SeaBeLife announced in vivo results for its SBL03 drug candidate, an ophthalmic gel designed to combat necrotic retinal cell death in geographic atrophy (GA). 

The primary objective of the preclinical study was to assess the efficacy of SBL03 in an in vivo preclinical model of induced retinal degeneration. According to SeaBeLife, the study confirmed the therapeutic potential of SBL03 in treating GA, providing a noninvasive, well-tolerated solution to address GA.

SBL03 is a dual inhibitor of regulated necrotic cell death, formulated as an ophthalmic gel for topical delivery via eyedrops. This approach aims to prevent sight loss associated with retinal degeneration by directly targeting affected cells, regardless of the disease's origin.

Findings from the Study

The efficacy of SBL03 was tested in a preclinical animal model that replicated key clinical characteristics of GA, including degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium and progressive, irreversible photoreceptor cell loss. Following induced retinal degeneration, the preclinical models underwent repeated topical instillations of SBL03 over several days. The therapeutic effects were analyzed through various functional and structural assessments, including:

• Electroretinography (ERG)
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
• Fundus autofluorescence (FAF)
• Post-mortem quantitative histological testing

Results demonstrated that SBL03 effectively infiltrates different parts of the eye and reaches the retina in adequate concentrations. Analysis revealed significant protection of retinal structural and functional integrity in SBL03-treated eyes compared to placebo. The correlation among examined parameters confirmed that repeated topical ocular treatment with SBL03 offers a protective effect against retinal degeneration.

“The preclinical results achieved with SBL03 are highly promising and open up new opportunities in the treatment of degenerative retinal disorders. The combination of targeted action and topical delivery makes it a particularly promising solution for preserving patients’ sight and, consequently, their quality of life,” Prof. Jean-François Korobelnik, professor of ophthalmology at Bordeaux University Hospital, France, said in a company news release.

“This could significantly enhance patient comfort and adherence for a chronic disorder requiring lifelong treatment,” said Morgane Rousselot, PhD, CEO and co-founder of SeaBeLife. “With the Series A funding round currently in preparation, we aim to accelerate the development of SBL03 to address the urgent needs of millions worldwide.”

SeaBeLife is currently the only company developing a therapeutic solution for GA that features topical delivery of a regulated necrotic cell death inhibitor. The company plans to scale up SBL03’s development by implementing a standardized production process. Regulatory preclinical studies are set to commence in 2025, with the first human clinical trials anticipated in 2026.